World renowned physicist-philosopher to deliver lectures in DK

March 6, 2012

Mangalore, March 6: World famous physicist-philosopher Dr Hans Peter Durr will be delivering three lectures in Dakshina Kannada from March 11 to 13.

Revealing this to media persons at a press meet here on Tuesday Dr B M Hegde, Former Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, said the rare combination of physicist and philosopher makes his lectures of interest not only to students and faculty of sciences and humanities, but also to the general public.

He has found strong similarities between most modern view of matter as understood by physicists and most ancient one as understood by India's philosophers, Dr Hegde said.

Dr Durr will be speaking on March 11 at 5 p.m. at Shobhavan, Alva's Education Foundation addressing general public, students and teachers of physics. On March 12 at 11 a.m. Dr Durr will speak to students and faculty at NITK but others are welcome. He will deliver a general talk on “New World View of Physics” on March 13 at 5 p.m. in Corporation Bank auditorium, H.O Pandeshwar. There will be an hour long question and answer session after each lecture.

Dr Durr, who is the former Executive Director of Max Planck Institute, Germany, specializes in Nuclear and Quantum physics. He is the winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize in 1987 for founding the global Challenges Network, a world peace initiative to counter the Star Wars program and achieve social justice and peace. Dr Durr also holds an honorary doctorate in Philosophy.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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